Killing Them Softly

Lauryn Hill Fans Get Night At The Beach

VIRGINIA BEACH — As the sky began to clear Wednesday night, Douglas Caudle spread a Mexican-style blanket over a section of damp grass on the Virginia Beach Amphitheater's lawn.

The 41-year-old surgical technician from Hampton was looking forward to an evening with his two daughters - 9-year-old Damika and 13-year-old Dada - and with the reigning queen of hip-hop, Lauryn Hill.

"I'm a loyal Lauryn Hill fan - she's a very talented young lady," Caudle said. "And she sets a good example."

His daughters agreed and said they were waiting to hearing Hill hits including "Everything is Everything" and "Doo Wop (That Thing)."

Caudle was right. Wednesday's concert drew middle-aged African-Americans with their dates or spouses, platoons of white teen-age girls and seemingly everyone in between.

The Peninsula was certainly well represented.

Toni Freeman, a 41-year-old advertising sales person from Hampton, was looking forward to Hill's set - although she enjoyed rap group OutKast's opening set. "I'm here for Lauryn Hill. I like her lyrics and the depth of her music. It's music with a message.

"And I like her dreadlocks," she added.

Freeman - like others in the audience - seemed happy that the amphitheater was presenting a concert by a talented, contemporary R&B artist.

"I would have expected more high-caliber artists considering this venue - the capacity is so large," Freeman said. "But I guess they just get who is on tour."

Though enthusiastic, the Lauryn Hill crowd was not even close to packing the amphitheater. About 8,500 turned out for the show. The venue can hold 20,000.

It's possible the R&B or hip-hop audience in Hampton Roads and the amphitheater are just getting to know each other.

Calvin Phillips, a 35-year-old Newport News resident, said he avoided the amphitheater for years after friends told him that security at the shed was overly aggressive. The Lauryn Hill show was his first visit.

"Apparently, it's not like that anymore," he said. "It's all right. I definitely like the atmosphere. It's nice."

Near the front of the lawn section, Colleen Hagee was considerably more excited. The 17-year-old Hampton Roads Academy student was getting ready to see her heroine, Lauryn Hill. "I am seriously obsessed with her, I admit it," she gushed.

Hagee has a recent newspaper story about the singer pinned to her bedroom wall. "I think the theme in her music is kind of Christian. I really like the song 'Final Hour.' "

The concert was a dream come true for Hagee. She thought she would miss the show until her friend Maggie Gillespie surprised her with tickets recently as a birthday gift. "I was crying," Hagee said.

And about 30 minutes later, Hagee cheered as Hill stepped onto the stage.

Hill opened with her song "Ex-Factor." Her set ended an hour and a half later with her giant hit "Killing Me Softly" and "Everything is Everything."

Sam McDonald can be reached at 247-4732 or by e-mail at smcdonald@dailypress.com